City Council Minutes 02-14-2011MINUTES
REGULAR MEETING — MONTICELLO CITY COUNCIL
Monday, February 14, 2011 — 7 p.m.
Present: Clint Herbst, Lloyd Hilgart, Tom Perrault, Glen Posusta, Brian Stumpf
Absent: None
1. Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance
Mayor Herbst called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. and declared a quorum present.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
2A. Approval of Minutes — January 24, 2011 Special Meeting
BRIAN STUMPF MOVED TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 24,
2011 SPECIAL MEETING AS PRESENTED. TOM PERRAULT SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 5 -0.
211. Approval of Minutes — January 24, 2011 Regular Meeting
TOM PERRAULT MOVED TO ACCEPT THE MINUTES OF THE JANUARY 24,
2011 SPECIAL MEETING AS CORRECTED. GLEN POSUSTA SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 5 -0.
3. Consideration of adding items to the agenda
There were no additions to the agenda at this time.
4. Citizen comments, public service announcements, and staff updates
a. Citizen Comments: None
b. Public Service Announcements:
1) CGI Promotional Video — Angela Schumann demonstrated one of the new
video tourbooks produced by CGI for the City titled "Real Estate and
Relocation." Angela Schumann invited Council and public to access all
six of the videos through the city's website. Angela Schumann also
explained the links across the bottom of the home page including:
Agendas & Minutes, FAQs, E -News, Watch a City Meeting, Pay Utility
Bill, RSS feeds, and Facebook.
2) Online Zoning Code — Angela Schumann announced that the new zoning
code is available online consisting of four links: Monticello Zoning Code
(complete with interactive table of contents, Official Zoning Map, Chapter
18- Floodplain Management, and Chapter 27- Mississippi Wild & Scenic.
City Council Minutes— February 14, 2011 Page 1
Angela demonstrated how the hyperlinks within the code can move you
between sections of the ordinance.
3) "Have a Heart for Bertram" Snow Sculpting Contest results — Angela
Schumann summarized the Snow Sculpting Contest organized by the
Friends of Bertram Chain of Lakes and held on Feb 12 with nine teams
participating in the contest. In addition, Friends of Bertram provided
information and videos about Bertram Chain of Lakes and the plan for
purchasing land for a regional park. Todd Aulner and Jody Jensen were
the winners of a 3 -month membership at MCC for 1St place in the contest.
Angela noted that Friends of Bertram are sponsoring a pancake breakfast
fundraiser on April 9 at Applebees.
4) "Love Your Library" Day (2/15) — Cathy Shuman noted the Library open
house from 4 to 6 p.m, on February 15. The public is encouraged to attend
and see everything that the library has to offer. The event is hosted by
Monticello Friends of the Library.
C. Staff Updates:
1) FiberNet — Don Patten reported on the status of FiberNet and noted a
positive review of the financial plan for the business. Don thanked
residents and businesses for supporting FiberNet as their choice for
telecommunications. Due to overwhelming demand for services, FiberNet
has added three seasonal install techs to help connect residents to FiberNet
services. Construction of the network and drops to buildings will continue
when the ground thaws in the Spring. Clint Herbst noted the location of
the FiberNet customer service office and invited the public to stop by.
Jeff O'Neill demonstrated a speed test that he had run on his work
computer to show where Monticello compares in broadband speed to other
places in the world. Monticello was second only to South Korea and very
much ahead of locations in the United States.
2) Liquor Store — Randall Johnsen gave an update on the financial condition
of Hi Way Liquors. In comparisons from 2009 to 2010, there was an
increase of 3% in total sales with gross profit increasing 14 %. Department
sales for wine increased by 7 %, liquor by 2 %, and beer by 2 %. Randall
also compared the increases from 2008 to 2010 which showed a
significant gain from the time he took over as manager. The store showed
gains similar to large markets such as Costco and Sam's Club. Overall,
2010 was a fantastic year and Randall is hoping to continue the positive
gains in 2011. Comparing January 2010 to January 2011 showed total
sales down slightly but the gross profit was up in all categories. A recent
Monticello Times survey showed that Hi Way Liquor is the shopper's
choice for liquor products in this area.
City Council Minutes — February 14, 2011 Page 2
April 29 is the next wine tasting which will be followed by 30% off wine
sale for a week. Tickets can be purchased at Hi Way Liquors. Customers
can also sign up to be on an email list to receive notices of specials and
events.
Lloyd Hilgart asked about figures for net sales. Tom Kelly will provide
figures on net sales (expenses and revenues) with his report at the next
Council meeting.
Randall noted that Monticello has an excellent customer base and
appreciates the support of Council and city staff in maintaining the status
of the liquor store in these economic times.
5. Consent Agenda:
A. Consideration of approving new hires and departures for City departments.
Recommendation: Ratify new hires and terminations for MCC.
B. Consideration of adopting Resolution #2011 -06 approving a contribution from
Lindenfelsers for the Fire Department. Recommendation: Adopt Resolution
#2011 -06 approving a donation from Jerome and Corrine Lindenfelser in the
amount of $500 for fire /rescue equipment.
C. Consideration of appointing a representative to the Monticello Parks Commission
to fill a vacancy with the term to expire on 12/31/2013. Recommendation:
Appoint Tim Stalpes to the Monticello Parks Commission with a term ending
December 31, 2013.
D. THIS ITEM WAS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA
E. THIS ITEM WAS REMOVED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA
F. Consideration of appointing a representative to the Monticello Economic
Development Authority for a 6 year term to expire on 12/31/2016.
Recommendation: Appoint Mathew Frie to the Monticello EDA with a term
ending December 31, 2016.
GLEN POSUSTA MOVED TO ACCEPT THE CONSENT AGENDA WITH THE
REMOVAL OF ITEM D AND E. BRIAN STUMPF SECONDED THE MOTION.
MOTION CARRIED 5 -0.
Glen Posusta noted a donation of $500 by Jerome and Corrine Lindenfelser to benefit the
Fire Department.
6. Consideration of items removed from the consent agenda for discussion
City Council Minutes — February 14, 2011 Page 3
#5D. Consideration of accepting a Source Water Protection Competitive Grant
awarded to the City and approving matching funds
Tom Perrault removed this item because he wanted to know if there was only one
observation well being constructed at this time. Bob Paschke explained they would study
several wells but only construct one test well. Tom Perrault also wanted to know whether
the purpose of study was to replace or add wells. Bob pointed out that it would serve
both purposes and would show the capacity of the current wells into the future.
TOM PERRAULT MOVED TO APPROVE ALTERNATIVE #1 ACCEPTING THE
SOURCE WATER PROTECTION GRANT AND APPROVE MATCHING FUNDS IN
THE AMOUNT OF $10,000. BRIAN STUMPF SECONDED THE MOTION.
MOTION CARRIED 5 -0.
#5E. Consideration of adopting Interim Ordinance #524 temporarily prohibiting
Adult - Oriented Land Uses in Monticello
Tom Perrault pulled this item wondering why this was being brought forward as he
thought this section of the ordinance would not have to be addressed immediately.
Angela Schumann explained that, after discussion with the City Attorney, it was
recommended to put an interim ordinance in place to protect the City and give more time
to develop revisions needed in the new zoning ordinance.
BRIAN STUMPF MOVED TO APPROVE ALTERNATIVE #1 ADOPTING
ORDINANCE NO. 524, TEMPORARILY PROHIBITING ADULT - ORIENTED LAND
USES. TOM PERRAULT SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 5 -0,
Public Hearing — Consideration of adopting Ordinance #523 amending 2011 Fee
Schedule for industrial water /sewer rates and cemetery frost charge fee
Clint Herbst mentioned that City staff had met with Cargill Kitchen Solutions to discuss
water and sewer industrial rates. Due to further issues, Tom Kelly suggests that Council
continue the public hearing to a future date for the industrial rates, but adopt the cemetery
frost charge fee at this time.
Mayor Herbst opened the public hearing. As there were no comments, the public hearing
was closed.
Glen Posusta asked about minimum bill for sprinkler meters if they were not used. The
rates listed shows that a zero reading would still generate a minimum bill. Council asked
Tom Kelly to research whether that had been addressed in some manner.
Tom Perrault asked about the frost charge as applicable for the months December
through February. Tom Kelly explained the months are regulated by the contract with
Mr. Glunz.
City Council Minutes— February 14, 2011 Page 4
GLEN POSUSTA MOVED TO ADOPT ORDINANCE #523 ADDING A CEMETERY
FROST CHARGE TO THE 2011 FEE SCHEDULE AND CONTINUING THE PUBLIC
HEARING TO MARCH 14TH FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION OF THE
INDUSTRIAL WATER & SEWER RATES. LLOYD HILGART SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 5 -0.
8. Consideration of adopting Resolution 92011 -07 approving a contribution of 20.000
sandbag bags from Veolia Solid Waste
Bob Paschke noted that normally this would be a consent item for the contribution but
wanted to make Council aware of the preparations for flood prevention. Bob pointed out
several places where City staff has placed water elevation indicators to keep an eye on
the water levels. Staff has met with River Terrace personnel to talk about flood
preparations and a process for evacuating residents if the situation would warrant.
Bob Paschke explained how the sandbags would be stored and the process that would be
followed for filling the bags as needed. Clint Herbst recommended that residents should
be given priority for the sandbags if they are looking to protect their property with them.
Bob and Ron Hackenmueller have been making arrangements in the case that the City
would need to deal with flooding and can provide information to the public. They would
also coordinate use of volunteer help. Bob noted that several city employees that live on
the river are tracking water elevations.
Ron Hackenmueller noted that he has marked the elevation at his property along the
river. In 1997, the water reached 2 feet above the 100 -year flood plain at his property.
At this time, the water is 6 feet below the 1997 level. The building department has been
getting some inquiries about flood insurance and he is working with them on determining
if they are located in a floodplain. They will be keeping an eye on the river as the Xcel
plant is on an outage and there may be more potential for ice jams in March.
Bob Paschke provided the URL to access river levels on the internet 24 hours a day. This
will be placed on the city website. Jeff O'Neill questioned the potential for flooding
compared to 500 -year flood events. Bruce Westby will look into that. It was noted that
the Mississippi River drops 16 feet from one end of Monticello to the other, which helps
protect from major flooding.
TOM PERRAULT MOVED TO APPROVE ALTERNATIVE #1 ADOPTING
RESOLUTION #2011 -07 APPROVING THE CONTRIBUTION OF 20,000
SANDBAGS FROM VEOLIA SOLID WASTE. LLOYD HILGART SECONDED THE
MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 5 -0.
Bruce Westby noted that a copy of the Feasibility Report was provided to each Council
member and they will be asked to adopt the report as is or make modifications. Bruce
Westby gave a presentation highlighting the 2011 Street Reconstruction project. He
reviewed the background of the city's overall street reconstruction and the area proposed
for the 2011 portion. West River Street, west of CSAH 75, would be reconstructed as an
urban section with curb and gutter, storm sewer, and driveway approaches. It is also
recommended to construct a 9 -foot off -road bituminous pathway to connect the existing
pathway south of CSAH 75 to the ballfields.
Bruce noted that 21 property owners attended a neighborhood meeting of which 4 were
from the West River Street area.
Bruce Westby explained the assessments for the West River Street portion would be
allocated to a portion of Xcel's property, Alano, Electro Industries, and Riverside Oil,
which has a driveway easement across the Electro property. Assessments are only being
proposed for street reconstruction. No assessments are proposed for the new pathway.
Glen Posusta asked about the intersection of West River and CSAH 75 and whether the
City and County would try to reconstruct the angle of it. Bruce Westby explained that
the County is proposing to add turn lanes at that intersection, which should help quite a
bit with traffic. In addition, staff is proposing to increase the size of the northerly radius
which will help trucks heading east on CSAH 75 make the right -hand turn onto West
River Street without encroaching into the opposite lane. Although there are no plans to
reconfigure it further than that due to a lack of evidence showing that the current
configuration is causing issues for drivers, Bruce and WSB will meet with the County to
analyze it further to make sure it does not make sense to realign the intersection while the
County is reconstructing Hwy 75.
The estimated costs for West River Street portion are estimated at $554,700. Bruce
Westby explained the assessment breakdown with residential proposed at $4;000 per lot
and non - residential at $80 per front foot. Non - residential sidewalk would run $12 per
front foot. Bruce noted that none of the residential properties are proposed to be assessed
with this project.
Area 4B includes East River Street from Cedar Street to approximately 1,100 It east of
Washington Street and including adjacent streets between East River Street and
Broadway. The streets would be reconstructed to their current 36 -ft width. Since state
aid funds will be used, parking on East River Street would be restricted to one side of the
street between Washington and Palm Streets, as well as on Palm and Washington
between East Broadway and East River Street. Utilities are being evaluated as to what
will need to be reconstructed. All watermain valves and water hydrants will be replaced.
No sidewalks will be constructed along East River Street, which was agreeable with the
residents that attended the neighborhood meeting. The parking lots and roads within
Ellison Park are also proposed to be included in this project.
City Council Minutes — February 14, 2011 Page 6
Costs are estimated for Area 4B improvements at $1,850,500 with residential
assessments at $4,000 per lot and non - residential at $80 per front foot. It is anticipated
that the city will bond for the project.
Bruce Westby explained the proposed timeline for the entire project with construction
starting in June and completion by October. The assessment hearing would be held in
October under the proposed timeline. The estimated total for the work is $2,413,200
which includes 10% contingency and 22% indirect costs.
Clint Herbst asked if they could consider adjusting the width of the road on the section of
West River Street leading up to the ballfields. He feels that it could be narrowed to 30
feet as he does not think that people would park along that section of road. Bruce
responded that staff would look at options for narrowing the road.
Brian Stumpf does not think the parking lot at Ellison Park would need to be
reconstructed and would like to see evidence that would be necessary. Tom Perrault
asked whether there might be negative feedback about limiting parking to one side of
East River Street. Bruce Westby noted that none of the property owners who attended
the neighborhood meeting seemed to be opposed to the proposed parking restriction.
Tom Perrault asked if the sidewalk along Cedar Street could be bid as an alternate and
also the parking lot at East Bridge Park should be bid as an alternate. Glen Posusta
pointed out that the reason for the sidewalk along Cedar Street was to provide a place for
people to walk to the park when parking along the streets around East Bridge Park was
being fully utilized. Bruce Westby pointed out that there would be some reconstruction
of the sidewalk at the entrance to East Bridge Park to meet ADA requirements.
Bruce Westby noted that Bob Paschke is researching the possibility of acquiring some
DNR funds to cover some of the costs of reconstructing the parking lot and area around
the boat launch at Ellison Park.
TOM PERRAULT MOVED TO INCLUDE THE EAST BRIDGE PARK PARKING
LOT RECONSTRUCTION AS AN ALTERNATE BID WITH THE 2011 STREET
RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT. BRIAN STUMPF SECONDED THE MOTION.
MOTION CARRIED 4 -1 WITH GLEN POSUSTA VOTING IN OPPOSITION.
Jeff Michaelis, 2056 West River Street, owner of Riverside Oil Company, asked to make
a few comments for consideration. He spoke in support of narrowing West River Street
if money can be saved, although he added that he understood that saving construction
costs may not reduce his assessment. He does not feel that it is necessary to put in curb
and gutter on that road; that the cost would not be justified as the ditch system is working
pretty well. However, he noted there is an area by the catch basin near Alano that needs
to repaired. Bruce Westby explained that if the road is narrowed and there is no curb and
gutter, the edge of the road may be subject to deterioration by the traffic on the road,
especially the bigger trucks. In order to repair the area by Alano, they would need to
look at the situation and determine what is causing the erosion. Clint Herbst suggested
that staff could look at the road and ditch to decide which option would be the best.
City Council Minutes — February 14, 2011 Page 7
Bruce Westby noted that staff would explore options for narrowing West River Street and
removing curb and gutter and that staff would present their findings to Council at the
Public Hearing, including estimated cost differences.
GLEN POSUSTA MOVED TO APPROVE ALTERNATIVE #1 ADOPTING
RESOLUTION #2011 -09 ACCEPTING THE FEASIBILITY REPORT AND CALLING
FOR A PUBLIC HEARING ON FEBRUARY 28, 2011 FOR THE 2011 STREET
RECONSTRUCTION, CITY PROJECT NO. 11 C001. TOM PERRAULT
SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 5 -0.
10. Added items
No items were added.
11. Approve payment of bills for February 10
GLEN POSUSTA MOVED TO APPROVE PAYMENT OF THE BILLS FOR
FEBRUARY 14TH. TOM PERRAULT SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION
CARRIED 5 -0 TO PAY THE BILL REGISTERS TOTALING $1,277,889.32.
12. Adjournment
BRIAN STUMPF MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:40 P.M. TOM
PERRAULT SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 5 -0.
Recorder: Catherine M. Shuman 60
Approved: February 28, 2011
Attest:
CitMWMstrator
City Council Minutes— February 14, 2011 Page 8